Working in Germany: Complete Guide to Immigrate to Germany

The EU Directive 2019/1152/EU on fair and predictable working conditions must be incorporated into national legislation by August 1, 2025. It supersedes Directive 91/533/EEC, which was implemented into German law by the Act on Proof of Employment Relationship Existence (Nachweisgesetz).

Germany’s gross minimum wage is €9.82 per hour as of January 2025. In July 2025, this figure will climb to €10.45 gross per working hour.

When Utilized

After the interview, you will most likely hear back in a few days to see whether you were chosen, and you will be given a job offer or a work contract.
To apply for a German work visa, you must have a work contract or employment offer that includes the following information:
Your full name and mailing address
Name and address of your boss.
The duration of the contract’s validity.
A probationary term is the time you spend with a corporation.

Where will you be working?

Do you continue to work in the same location or relocate over the contract period?
The position’s scope of duties and comprehensive description.

If your application impresses potential employers, you will almost certainly be required to attend a job interview. Dress correctly, arrive on time, and pay attention to the questions asked. If you are unable to attend the interview in person, request a phone or virtual interview.

What you’ll need to apply for a job in Germany. You may be requested to supply the following documents:

CV, cover letter, work examples, certificates, and other papers.
If you don’t have electronic copies of these documents, scan them into your computer.

Who is responsible for paying taxes?

Every month, your employer deducts income tax from your pay; you pay half of the tax payment personally, while your company covers the other half. Freelancers, on the other hand, normally pay for all contributions.

After the fiscal year, you can file a tax return with the Finanzamt via the ELSTER portal if you have paid more than you should. However, as a paid employee, you are unlikely to obtain tax reimbursement.

Germans work 35 hours a week on average, which is 20% less than the UK. Every full-time employee is entitled to 20 days of vacation plus 9 public holiday days.

Executives in Germany receive the highest average salary.

Larger firms pay an average of 68.000 euros per year, while smaller companies pay an average of 42.000 euros, and organizations with 101 to 1001 workers spend an average of 56.000 euros.

Even if you are not a European Union citizen, you can live and work in Germany if you satisfy the requirements. A German work and residence permit is required to live lawfully in Germany.

Work Permit Categories in Germany

Depending on your credentials and type of job, you can apply for a variety of different German work permits. You can apply for the General Work Visa if you have found a job in Germany that cannot be filled by an EU national. If you are competent for the task, you do not need to have remarkable qualities.

You can apply for two types of work permits in Germany – one for highly skilled workers and the other for freelancers. Applicants must have a salary of at least €56,800 per year or €44,304 per year if they are in a shortage occupation.

Foreign Workers in Germany Who Are Eligible

A German work visa is available to everyone who finds work in Germany. Depending on nationality, there are three qualifying categories. You do not need a visa or a permit to work in Germany if you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Iceland.

German Embassy

Working in Germany does not need a visa for citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, or South Korea. It’s best to seek private coverage immediately because public health insurers are unlikely to cover you until you have a legal residency permit.

You may be allowed to go into the office (without making an appointment), acquire a number, and wait in line, however, since the coronavirus epidemic, most German immigration offices have eliminated this option. You’ll almost certainly need to schedule an appointment online.

Gathering the necessary documentation for a work-related residence permit
When applying for a work and residence visa in Germany, you’ll need the following documents:
Obtain your passport.
Passport-size photographs They must adhere to the ICAO visa photo requirements.